Originally published and courtesy of curledup.com.
Threads: The Reincarnationof Anne Boleyn by Nell Gavin
Anne Boleyn was second of Henry VIII's eight wives and the mother of one of England's greatest monarchs, Queen Elizabeth I. Anne and Henry's relationship and subsequent marriage resulted in the formation of a new church in England, as well as the deaths of many British subjects who held fast to the Catholic faith. But what is remembered most about this union was how Henry dissolved it. He had Anne beheaded.
Threads is not your run-of-the-mill historical novel. In the first chapter, we meet an already executed Anne, busy piecing together the story of her life in order to understand why Henry did what he did. We also learn early on that Anne and Henry had shared many previous lives, along with other people that they knew -- daughter, even Anne's first love. Nell Gavin's imagination shines through as the author assigns different roles in their previous lives -- mother as her daughter, Henry as a gay cross-dressing prostitute in 2437 B.C. Egypt, Anne as the wife of a seventh son in 1666 China who forces her to kill her first child because it is a girl.
As Anne reviews her previous lives, she realizes that from each one, lessons are learned. Because she had free will, she had the ability to choose between right and wrong, and her choices determined whether she would be punished or rewarded in the next life. But if there is a "message" within the novel and this is it, the reader can only wonder what wrong choice, outside of committing murder, could one make that would result in his or her next lives ending in murder? Or can bad karma, accumulated over a lifetime, result in one horrific moment in the next?
Author Nell Gavin's research is meticulous, down to providing readers a look at Anne's final speech on May 19, 1536, at the Tower of London, which clearly shows Anne was not real sure why Henry was having her executed:
Good Christian people, I am come hither to die, according to law, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I come here only to die, and thus to yield myself humbly to the will of the King, my lord. And if, in life, I did ever offend the King's Grace, surely with my death, I do now atone.I pray and beseech you all, good friends, to pray for the life of the King, my sovereign lord and yours, who is one of the best princes on the face of the earth, who has always treated me so well.
Poor Anne. It's good to know that at least in fiction, she could look back on her various lives and see that Henry was not the great man she thought him to be.
To learn more about Nell Gavin please go to http://www.nellgavin.net/.
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Reviewer April Galt wasn't always a lover of books. In fact the only books she can remember reading before the age of 20 are a few Trixie Belden mysteries and S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders. She doesn't know when it happened, but at some point books took over her life. A former online bookstore owner, April spends much of her day in Cape Coral, Florida, involved in one way or the other with books. Whether its working on her first novel, creating handmade journals, providing content for her website Book Collecting Online, or simply reading from or adding to her own collection, April's love of books is no longer in question.
© 2002 by April Galt for Curled Up With a Good Book
When you’re in the process of looking for the right self-publishing partner to work with you to get your book published, there is a lot to consider. Today we thought we would highlight just a handful of remarkable things Infinity Publishing has to offer an author.
1. Incredible Customer Service and Experienced Author Advocates
Each of our authors is assigned a contact person for live communication; from your first inquiry, through preparation, publication and distribution of your book. Our Author Advocates will work directly with you to help your book move seamlessly through the publishing process.
2. Global Distribution Network (Print, eBook, Audio)
Your book will be available at virtually all major retailers on the web including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Chapters-Indigo, Audible, 10,000 libraries and others. Learn More
3. Author Retains Control
You keep all rights to your book, at all times. You control the content and design of your book.
4. Flexible Pricing Options
You set the price of your book. Choose the minimum suggested retail price, or set the price higher, providing you an additional 75% royalty on the value added. Learn More.
5. Special Author Pricing
You'll receive free copies of your book in all our publishing packages. You will be able to purchase copies with a 50% discount off the first order and 40% off each additional order. On orders of 250 or more (to one physical location), you'll always get a 50% discount. Learn More.
6. Premium Royalties Paid Monthly (not quarterly)
Royalties are paid monthly to you on all sales of your book, including those books you purchase yourself. We offer some of the industry's highest levels of royalties. Learn More
7. A Premium-Level Custom Cover
Your book will have aprofessionally designed front and back cover with your direct input. We do not use templates. This service alone often costs thousands of dollars at other publishers.
8. Hardcopy Proof Books
Actual hardcopy books are sent to you for proofing, with color cover and B&W interior pages. Up to 3 proofs are free (for print books only).
9. Bookstore Return Policy
We accept bookstore returns, rigorously opening the door for sales to stores. For book signings, we offer free shipping when purchased directly from us.
10. Complimentary Review Copies
Your books will be shipped directly to legitimate book reviewers at their request - at no cost to you!
To learn more about the Infinity Publishing difference follow the link: http://www.infinitypublishing.com/remarkables/ Interested in talking more about your book? Give us a call or click the link to schedule a call with an Author Advocate.
If you haven’t yet published with us, we welcome the opportunity to get to know more about your book. If you’re already an author with us, thank you for being a part of the Infinity Publishing family. We hope to hear from you soon!
Does Infinity Publishing seem like the right fit for your next title?
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Image courtesy of Dimitri Castrique.
by Karin Bilich
It’s the most important page on an author’s website. It’s where someone is most likely to land and then – in only three seconds – decide if they’re going to click around the site or leave. It’s your homepage.
That’s right … you have only three seconds to convince someone to stay. If they do stay, they may become a fan for life. If they don’t stay? Well, that’s one less person who may read your book and tell their friends about it. Those friends will tell their friends and so on.
Yup. That’s an important three seconds. And an important homepage.
Here are five of the most common mistakes that are made on author website homepages…
1. Too design-heavy. Look, I like an attractive website as much as the next guy. But people generally aren’t sold on a book because the website is attractive. The worst example of a site being too design-heavy is one that has a Flash intro. You most definitely do not want to make someone wait through an introduction before they can actually see your content. Think about it … Is that how you want them spending those precious three seconds? Waiting?
2. Too boring. No website should start with the words “Welcome to my website” (or even worse “web page”). When I recommend that clients write a “welcome” message for their homepage, I’m talking about something along the lines of: “Are you looking for the best _____ book you’ve ever read? You’ve come to the right place! Click around and you’ll _____, ______ and ____.” Much more interesting, right?
3. Not doing enough teasing. I like to think of an author website homepage as a tantalizing table of contents for the website. It should offer teasers on all of the content on the site, like the book excerpts, book secrets, author blog, etc… Too many authors use their homepages to serve as the place where they do one thing: for example, describe their book in full. If you use all your homepage real estate for one purpose, then you’re not taking advantage of the teaser that the page should be.
4. Too bloggish. This is a very common mistake. An author website and a blog are NOT the same thing. Now, I’m always a fan of a blog on an author website, but using the website’s homepage as the blog page is a huge mistake. There are two reasons why: 1) People arriving on the homepage may feel like they’re joining mid-conversation. That’s not very welcoming; and 2) Your most recent blog entry probably isn’t the most captivating content on the site. So, given the fact that you only have three seconds to capture someone’s attention, is a description of your most recent book signing really what you want them to see upon arrival?
5. No calls to action! You want people to actually do something on your website. Maybe you want them to buy the book. Maybe you’re hoping that they’ll give you their email address for future communications. Maybe you’d like them to share the site via Facebook. Whatever you want your visitors to do, encourage them to do it (and make it as easy as possible for them to take action). For example, don’t just tell people what the book is about, give them the links to read reviews, read excerpts, and (of course), buy the book.
Whether you already have an author website, or are considering building one, make sure you avoid these common mistakes. And, as always, feel free to contact an Infinity Publishing Author Advocate for a free consultation!
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Karin has been working in web development, strategy, and copywriting since 1998. She entered the world of book publishing in 2003 when she became the Webmaster for PublishersWeekly.com, LibraryJournal.com, and SchoolLibraryJournal.com. It was there that she gained a unique perspective on book publishing, book sales, book reviews, and more. In 2005, Karin became a full-time freelancer to meet the needs of authors like you and, shortly after, created SmartAuthorSites.com. She's since worked with over 150 authors on developing websites and marketing books online, and she prides herself on personalizing each site for a specific author's needs.
Article image courtesty of LegendsWeb.
Originally published and courtesy of BookPleasures.com.
Follow Here To Purchase Defending a King ~ His Life & Legacy
Author: Dr. Karen Moriarty
ISBN: 978-0-7414-7031-7
Even if you have till date managed to remain a non-fan of MJ the artist, this reading and subsequent 
understanding of MJ the man will make you an instant fan.
I’ve always been a huge fan of MJ, I’ve loved the fact that he was a self-made man, a little boy who worked hard from the age of five in the glare of flashlights and media, always the performer, giving his family a better life, who made it his passion to see to it that the message of love and peace was shared across the globe in the best way that he could – through his music and his compassion.
So when I began reading, it was an emotional roller coaster for me. I must, in the very beginning, give full credit to Dr. Karen Moriarty, for her detailed research and for being able to provide more than enough proof against all those allegations that MJ has faced over the years.
The MJ we saw was the MJ that the media portrayed to us. The MJ who lives in the pages of this book is the real MJ – a father whose world was his three children, an unconditional giver of love and support, a man with a golden heart who always kept his home, property and finances open for all those needy children and their parents who would benefit from some help or other – the soul of a small, innocent boy trapped in the body of an adult man.
Rumour after rumour, the author goes on to describe how Michael’s insecurities and acts of kindness have been turned into a media circus day after day:
The biggest fear Michael had was not being able to protect his children. And it was because of this that he went to unfathomable lengths to protect and shield them from the media and from the world. Being one of the biggest names in the world, he knew how big targets his children could be, and hence he took the extreme step of keeping them covered, a move that the media made into a spectacle, labelling him a ‘whacko’ who kept his children and himself in veils.
Not many were aware of the fact that Michael suffered from a skin condition that caused his skin to pigment, and that he was medically required to stay away from sunlight, hence the umbrella. This again was turned into a media circus.
When Michael donated an oxygen chamber to a children’s ward, he wanted to try it out himself to see if it worked well or not, and the next thing you know, the media had pictures of him, claiming that MJ used a special oxygen chamber for himself to maintain his looks.
Michael had always been surrounded by bodyguards, and had people to work his accounts from the age of five; hence he never got the chance to handle things on his own. This led to a dependency on people, and he did trust a few around him. But those around him were not so honest, as they led Michael to believe, and as the author sadly realised too. People stole from him left, right and center. And not only outsiders, family members were involved too.
The staff at Neverland was instructed to give free access to sick children and their parents to his home, kitchen and any place they wished for. They stayed for weeks and months, all on MJ’s money. And later, when they recovered and were asked to leave, they filed lawsuits, claiming compensations.
The worst mistake Michael did was to never speak out. Being intensely private, he believed if he would only give people what they asked, the problems would be over. But this only brought on more trouble. MJ faced upto 50 lawsuits a week throughout his life! And he paid them all! Though he was not guilty!
MJ was so affected by troubled children that he was repeatedly scared of reading the papers or switching the TV, so that he did not stumble across a picture of a hurt child. Everywhere he toured in any part of the globe, he made it a point to visit one place where needy children would benefit and make donations. Even on his last day, he was speaking of making the Michael Jackson Children’s Hospital, which would be the biggest in the world.
It’s a shame what we did to him. Each rumour, each fact, each gesture can only make you cry and want to reach out to this purest of pure souls and just envelop him in a hug. If only we had been a little more human towards him. What a shame on us all.
Follow Here To Purchase Defending a King ~ His Life & Legacy
Original interview published and courtesy of bookloversplace.com.
Q: What excites you most about your book’s topic? Why did you choose it?
Author: What excites me? Making what seems to be impossible possible; pursuing dreams, growing, evolving, living life authentically, trusting the flow of life and living an enriching, and abundant life. This book details the lessons I’ve learned as I began to listen to my own inner guidance, leaving the comfort and pseudo-security of a career to pursue a dream. The Tao of Mia and Leo, details this journey, and the life lessons I learned from Mia and Leo. Each vignette is sprinkled with metaphysical truths that are a reflection of all of our journeys. The vignettes give the reader insight into my life, and the lives and adventures of Mia and Leo, two cats that through their everyday antics helped me to reawaken to life, to rediscover the tools for creatively and courageously living my life. I didn’t choose the topic, the topic chose me!
Q: How long did the book take you from start to finish?
Author: This book came as a result of my entertaining and wise felines. I left my job, with the hope of fulfilling a dream, I began writing a novel, once I completed the manuscript, I started looking for an agent, or a publisher, no one seemed interested in my manuscript, rejection letters and bills filled my mail box, I became afraid and depressed by the lack of interest in my “prized” manuscript. I found solace in watching the funny antics of my two kittens, Mia and Leo. I began journaling their adventures and my feelings in an effort to continue writing. Evidently these notes starting in 2006 lead to the beginning of the book, The Tao of Mia and Leo. I completed the book in 2008.
Q: What aspect of writing "The Tao of Mia and Leo" did you find particularly challenging?
Author: I enjoyed the whole process, primarily because it was an opportunity to hear my own voice, to be honest, authentic, to reflect on my journey, to cry, laugh, to experience the sadness of loss, to reexamine values, beliefs, and the lessons we all need to learn in transforming our lives. It was also a delight to write about Samantha, Mia, and Leo.
Q: What surprised you the most about the book writing process?
Author: The evolution of this book, this was not the book that I had planned to write, the courage to write authentically. I enjoyed the discipline of writing; my day started early, yoga class or a walk along the ocean, breakfast with friends from yoga or walking, home to clean the house and then to my office to write, for the next 5-6 hours. I love the creative process!
Q: Did you have any favorite experiences when writing your book?
Author: The freedom to create, taking the time to reexamine my life; finally having quality time to reconnect to family and friends. Going to the movies in the middle of the day, slowing down, and seeing the world that I was too busy to see when I worked in corporate America. Obviously, watching my kittens play, relating their adventures to everyday life lessons that I chronicled in the book. I documented their experiences to show that the simplest creatures in simple scenarios can teach us the most profound life lessons.
Q: What do you hope your readers will gain from reading your book?
Author: Change is inevitable, whether we are ready for it or not; but the real question is, how do we cope with life changes, without becoming stuck in fear, anger and sadness and rediscover our joy and zest for living? This book explores these issues and provides some suggestions. In these uncertain economic times when many are being forced to reevaluate their lives, their choices, and values, this book offers insight into how we can learn to make authentic changes. Small, simple, yet thoughtful changes, empowering us to be more conscious of our lives, conscious of the choices we make and conscious of our responsibility to the world around us; becoming better people and making the world a better place to live.
Q: What projects are you currently working on?
Author: I’m working on a children’s book and a television script, for a new cable series.
Q: Is writing your sole career? If not, what else do you do?
Author: I have accepted that I love writing and that this is what I want to do fulltime; it is keeping me quite busy. However, on occasion I do consulting work, my background is in marketing.
Q: Did you do any research for your books, or did you write from experience?
Author: Mostly from experience, but it was necessary to do some research.
Q: How did you come up with your title?
Author: Tao means, “the way, the path,” Mia and Leo helped me find my way back to myself.
Q: What books have influenced you the most?
Author: The books that have influenced me are so varied, anything by Deepak Chopra; Lessons in Truth, Emily Cady; Living with Joy, Sanaya Roman; Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach; Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, Dr. Christiane Northrup; The Artist’s Way, Julie Cameron.
Q: Who was your publisher and why did you choose them?
Author: After doing extensive research, I decided to go the POD route, Publishing on Demand, instead of seeking out a traditional publishing house. I found that Infinity Publishing was a company that would support my goals as a new author.
To learn more about the book and Author, please visit – http://www.miaandleoinspired-tails.com/
Original interview published and courtesy of book-views.com.
2012: Day of Reckoning
Author: Daniel J. Gansle
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-7414-5695-8
By now, we've heard all kinds of conflicting beliefs and opinions on what will become of mankind, the planet and life as we know it after December 21, 2012.
The author, Daniel J. Gansle, is well educated in the area of Mayan culture, his university degree is in Cultural Anthropology with a concentration in Mesoamerican studies. He participated in a show on Mayan prophecy for the History Channel's documentary of 2009, Nostradamus Effect. Having viewed this documentary, I was especially looking forward to the more indepth research and interpretation I was certain would be in this book. I was definitely not disappointed by my high expectations of this book. In fact, I found it to be even more detailed, well written and fascinating than I could possibly have anticipated.
The book is divided into sections. The first section breaks down the background of the Mayans, giving the novice in the study of Mayan culture a broad base of understanding, yet also manages to share information that even those with some background in Mayan studies may be unaware of. The instruction offered to understand the Mayan Codices is exceptional, possibly the best I've seen. The next section, Prophecy, contains an outstanding explanation of New Age Movements to include harmonic convergence, psychic vision, channeling, astrology, numerology, UFOs, crop circles and more, each increasingly fascinating. This section also details the predictions of Nostradamus, galactic alignment, Planet X/Nibiru, pole shifts, timewave zero and more. The section that covers scriptual prophecy is very well done and complete, easy to understand and clarifying many common misconceptions. The book includes numerous figures, tables and illustrations, all equally informative and well written.
Regardless of your personal belief system or religious background, the author has presented an outstanding look at the 2012 debate. Highly recommended reading for all with an interest in this area.
To learn more or order 2012: Day of Reckoning click here.
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LAURI COATES
Voracious reader, insomniac, I research everything exhaustively. I have a wide variety of interests, from witchcraft, santeria, forensic science, recycling, food preservation, gardening, home decor to art, collecting westmoreland glass bulldogs, majorica monkeys, primitives, religious artifacts, funeral and death items, gothics, study of polygamy, writing, family, psychology and more......always into something new and wierd. Lots of "charming eccentricities"
View all articles by LAURI COATES
by Sherrie Wilkolaski
Once upon a time an author published a book. After the book had launched they patiently sat in their imaginary castle tower, waiting for the book reviews to start magically posting to Amazon and Goodreads. As the weeks went by, no book reviews appeared and the author lost all hope that their dream of seeing positive comments, recommendations and endorsements would never come to life. Do you know what I say to those fairytale authors? Jump. Jump from the tower into your moat of denial, not only will you never get any book reviews, it will be a lifetime before you see any book sales.
If the author doesn’t care about the success of their own book, why would anyone else.
If you’re an author interested in getting book reviews then consider writing book reviews for other authors in your genre. Reaching out to other writers is a great way to introduce your own work.
What are the benefits of doing book reviews for other authors and vice versa?
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Getting reviewed. The more reviews the better and having an author provide a review that supports your book, gives your book instant credibility. Be sure that you contact authors that you feel are of the caliber you’re looking for, when asking for a review. Even if another author isn’t interested in doing a review for your work, go ahead and do a review for their book. You’re putting yourself out there and connecting your name with that author and your niche.
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Writers are readers. You just may find a new fan of your work. Authors like to read and if they are already writing in your niche, you could find an ally.
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Cross-promotional opportunities. Authors writing in the same genre have their own audience, which is also your potential for future readers. Swapping reviews of each other’s books is a great promotional opportunity. Have the author include a mention on their website, blog or newsletter. If they will provide a link back to your website, even better.
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Reviewing books lends to credibility. If you’re selective on the books you review and specialize in a niche, you can establish yourself as an expert in that genre. Great for any author.
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More reviews means more online mentions. With every review you post be sure to include your name and tag it with “Author of” and list your book title. It doesn’t get any better than that.
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Free books. As an established book reviewer, you can start getting free books.
How to find books you want to review?
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Look at your competition. Make a top 10 list of books you want and should be reviewing. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to the author either. It’s also good to actually good to go out and buy the competitions books. Don’t forget to take advantage of your local library.
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Find books that you actually want to read. Novel idea. Pun intended.
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Use social media sites that target readers. Sites like Goodreads, LibraryThing and Shelfari are a mecca of readers all talking about books. See what is hot and what books are of interest from popular readers that are off the beaten path. Either direction is sure to provide you with a list of potential titles that will keep your bookshelf full.
Biggest piece of advice…if you say you’re going write a review then do the review. If you don’t like a book, do your best to write something complimentary. If the book is not your cup of tea, there is nothing wrong in telling the author you’ll be unable to complete the review. If they provided a book to you, kindly return the book and wish them well.
Are you a savvy author? Tell us about your book review experience…
by Calvin Dunn
For those who are naturally gifted in the art of writing, getting more people to notice your talent is vital. One of the best ways to do that is to have your work published. Self-publishing is now the way to go to get your book out there. In the old days the only way to get published was to send your book to numerous publishing companies and hope they accept your book and publish it. This form of publishing is now relatively ineffective. The big publishing companies get hundreds of books submitted 
to them weekly, and rarely select books from unknown authors. Chances are your book will sit on some editor’s desk and collect dust. Self-publishing allows anyone to publish their book, and gives the author more control of the process, content, and royalties. Going with a well-known publishing company like Infinity Publishing was a great decision for me, and they have worked with me every step of the way to create a product that was satisfying to me, and will increase my chances of my book getting noticed. Their overall prices are the best in the industry. When I completed my book, which took about two years, I began searching the internet looking for the best self-publishing company to work with. There are many choices out there, and my research was extensive. I found Infinity Publishing to be the best choice for me, and I have not regretted my decision to work with them.
Recognizing my writing talent.
I have been writing all my life, and have always loved it. It’s one of my best talents, and I realized that I was a gifted writer when I was in elementary school. When I was in fourth grade, I entered a writing contest to see who could write the best review of the Philadelphia Tribune. I won the contest, a $100 prize, and got to read my essay in front of employees of the newspaper, as well as school officials and parents. Right then I knew I had a God given talent to write. When I was a sophomore in high school, I won the Brown University Book Award for Writing. I received a plaque, a $500 savings bond, and was featured in a local newspaper. That was one of the highest honors I had received as a writer. I now belong to many author groups, forums, message boards, and writers blogs. Several of my own blogs are published in a variety of article directories and I’ve written several small eBooks on various subjects.
Writing is not something that everyone can do. I have always had a love for the English language, grammar, spelling and punctuation. I entered many spelling bees in elementary school, and finished on top many times. I love to read, and have learned much from well-known established authors. I crafted my own writing style based on my experiences, interests, and abilities, and have gone on to become somewhat known in the blogging world. Now that I have published my first book, “Losing My Mind,” I am sure to become well-known as a gifted writer. I plan to continue writing, and have already begun working on several more books.
When you write an article, blog or book, you want people to be able to envision what you are saying. The best way to do that is to be as detailed as possible. If you are describing an event or place, try to recall everything you saw, heard or noticed. Describe the people as much as possible, as well as the scenery, the weather, and anything else that a person can envision in their mind. You want the reader to feel like they are there, so being as detailed as possible is very important. Always be vigilant in making sure your grammar, spelling and punctuation are correct. There is nothing worse than trying to read something that is not worded correctly or has many mistakes in it. You want the reader to fully understand what you are trying to say, and how you say it is your own personal style.
Developing your writing talent.
Developing your writing talent can be done in many ways. Of course the best way to learn how to write is to read as much as possible. Read books and articles on various different subjects, and make sure you notice how the person uses words to describe what they are writing about. Taking a writing course at a community college is a great way to become a better writer. Associating with other writers can help develop your craft as well. With the explosion of the internet and social media, it is now easier than ever to connect with other writers online. Interact with them, comment on their work, and network with them. You will see your writings getting noticed by more and more people who are also trying to get noticed, and have a lot of experience in writing. Start your own blog on any subject you are interested in. Doing this correctly can help you become known as an expert in your subject, and you will gain the respect of many other writers.
There are many other ways to get your writings noticed. Remember, you want as many people as possible to see your work, so make sure you get as many people as possible reading your material. If you have published a book, get people to write reviews of your work. Doing the footwork to get your writing noticed will definitely pay off down the line. It’s a lot of work, but the rewards will be well worth your effort and time.
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Calvin Dunn is the author of the new book “Losing My Mind: A Chronicle of Bipolar Mania.” He lives in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also a web designer, freelance writer, and small business owner. He is 37 years old, and has a 17 year old daughter. He is originally from Boston Massachusetts. To learn more about Calvin and his work, visit his author website at http://calvindunnauthor.com.
To order his new book, go to buybooksontheweb.com.
by Sherrie Wilkolaski
The anticipation around launching a book for an author is like the night before Christmas, or the first day of school. You’ve been working towards the big day, getting your book prepared for publication. After numerous edits, selecting a final cover design an author wonders will the big day ever arrive. You’ve made sure you have the book in all available formats from eBook to print to audio, and your marketing team and book publicist are standing by.
Here are 5 things you can to do ensure your book launch is a success:
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Set the publishing date. Know what your book publication launch date is and work with that target date in mind. It will ensure you’re on track with your pre-publishing tasks, like editing and will give you time to map out your marketing and PR plan. Ideally, you should know this date 4-6 months in advance.
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Have a marketing plan. I’m sure I sound like a broken record on this point, but I will continue to shout it from the rooftops. You must have a marketing plan in place. This simple task will keep you on point. If you’re not a marketing guru, use a book marketing expert to help you pull this together. It will save you time and money in the long run. Your marketing should start at least three months before the book launch date and continue on for at least six months after the launch date.
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Set book sales goals. Most books sell an average of 500 books over their lifetime, so if you’re looking to really sell your book, having goals in place that are tied to your marketing plan, you can make it happen. Base your book sales plan on the amount of time you have to invest in promoting and selling your book. Marketing support does make all of the difference, but you also need to be committed to your sales follow through. If your goal is to sell 500 books your first year, then break it down by the amount of time you have to give to the books sales or better yet, break it down by month. 500 books / 12 months = 41.66 books or 42 books per month. Then break that down by week and you’re looking at 10-12 books a week. That doesn’t seem so bad. Monitor your sales weekly and adjust your sales and marketing efforts accordingly based on your sales growth. If you find you’re able to sell more than your goal, get more aggressive with your marketing and promotion to sell more when you know the market is interested.
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Create a solid product. You can have a well thought out marketing plan and book sales goals in place, however if your book is not the best product it can be, it will all be for nothing. Publish like a professional and you will have an edge over your competition. From book concept to editing, formatting and cover design. Don’t rush this piece.
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Be committed to your own success. This is the most important piece to your book launch success, being in the right frame of mind. If you don’t believe in your own success, then who will. As the author, you are an extension of your book product, so enjoy what you’ve created. You’ve taken a blank page and turned it into something of interest. Be proud of your work and don’t be shy to get out there and tell the world about it.
Launching a book takes planning and preparation, when that day comes, that is when the real fun begins, so enjoy it! Best of luck to you.
Do you have a book getting ready to launch? Tell us about it…
by Sherrie Wilkolaski
When people want to search from something online they immediately think of Google.com and they will probably say they are going to “Google” something rather than say they are going to “search” for it. Google offers a variety of free tools that can help authors to position themselves to sell more books and one of these tools is Google Alerts.
What is an alert?
An alert is an email notification that you set-up based on the criteria (key words) you want to monitor. For example, if you want to monitor information about your favorite sports team, movie star or even your favorite author, Google Alerts handles the search for you. You log into your Google account, set-up the key words you want to key an eye out for, and Google will email you the results either as they come in (real time) or in a digest (in bulk, daily or weekly).
Setting-up your Google Alerts.
You need to have a Google account to use this free online tool. It is as simple as going to this page: http://www.google.com/alerts and typing in key words to what you want Google to alert you on.
Go directly to Google for detailed instructions on how to set-up your Google Alerts, just be sure to keep reading on for your 5 tips.
How Google Alerts Can Help an Author Sell More Books.
Knowledge is power and having the information you need, right at your fingertips is what will help any author get in front of their competition, be more readily available to the media and marketing opportunities and will help them have a better understanding of where their book stands in the market.
Here are the top 5 ways an author should use their Google Alerts:
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Monitor online activity that is tied to the book title and author name. Authors should set-up a Google Alert for both their book title and their author name. This will monitor things like new book reviews that are posted, online discussions, blog article mentions and any other activity that is tied to their book title. These types of alerts should be monitored in real time, so that if something is posted, the author can address it almost immediately. For example, if there is an online discussion about an should On a regular basis authors ask me how they track what is going on with their book marketing, reviews and potential online discussions about their books. It is very simple.
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Follow the competition. Authors should monitor the top 5-10 competing books in their genre. Watching where and when your competition is posting, being interviewed and what readers are saying about their books, will give you an incredible list of resources to help you better market and promote your work. If you find that your competition just picked up a guest blog post on a website that is ideal for your book, use that information to get out there and get your own guest blog invite. There is no end to what you can do with competitive details.
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Look out for current events relating to your book topic. If you’ve written about a sailing, for example, you should be looking for current events that are tied to that subject. Think outside of the box and use your story, you book and genre to connect yourself to a media story that is already in flight. Keep current on the media coverage and blogs that are talking about your subject matter, then make the move and jump into the discussion or reach out to the media to let them know you’re available for an interview!
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Watch out for future opportunities. Use Google Alerts to think ahead and be on the lookout for media queries for author interviews and PR opportunities. It is typical to find other authors, bloggers and media personalities posting via their own sites and social media networks for authors to interview for future articles, interviews, etc. It’s usually first come, first served so if you are positioning yourself as an expert in your field or genre, set-up Google Alerts to notify you. Examples: “vegan cookbook authors” or “healthcare experts”
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Local marketing and PR events. Using Google Alerts to get you better synced up with your local media and writers communities is a wonderful way to put yourself “in the know” and keep you out in front of the completion and giving you a greater chance to be called on as the local author expert. Use your key words and add your location to the alerts. Another way to use location is to help you find opportunities that tie to specific regions that you’re interested in marketing to. If you have a book written about Montana, but life in California, it makes sense to focus on both your local CA and Montana areas, for potential happenings. You can always call into a radio station for an interview from anywhere.
Google Alerts can be an author’s secret weapon for tracking their online exposure as well as helping to build their online platform, if you make the time to use the content you’re receiving to your advantage. Let Google do the search work for you, it will save you time and will help you find information that you may not have found on your own.
Do you use Google Alerts? Tell us about it…
Book review published and courtesy of Pacific Book Review.
Honesty may be the best policy for going through life, but certainly not the easiest way to pass a US Border Patrol checkpoint when you are with your wife who happens to be in this country on an expired visa from Holland. So began the spiraling complexity of circumstances stemming from the arrest, detention and deportation of Michael Durack’s wife as he recounts the events of the true story of what happened to them in his book, TheThe Illegal from Holland.
Written in a first-person narrative format, Durack tells of the foibles of the immigration agents as they maneuver detainees from place to place; from hearings to detention centers, from visitor meetings to feedings, and eventually to airports and deportation. Yes, hurry up and wait. Weeks and months are of little concern as taxpayers pick up the bill for this slow moving processing of non-violent individuals, moving them back to their country of origin, mostly to Mexico and South American countries.
When Michael Durack’s wife falls into this system, he is forced to cope with the circumstances necessary to achieve her freedom from detention, and allow for the correct paperwork for her legal presence within the USA. This process takes him on a trip of quite a varied journey, throughout Holland and Europe, and over a year and a half before settling back to California as a married couple.
The Illegal from Holland is a fast read, a bit light with regards to impact as the situations discussed are rather mundane and non-eventful. After all, being caught for simply having over-extended your entry visa seems to be thought by Durack as having the same severity as driving with an expired license, filing a late tax return, or amassing some parking tickets. Nothing worthy of being instantly detained, or for a better use of terms, jailed.
Michael has written his true story admittedly as his opinion, stating in the forward that to some readers the fact his wife was in violation of the law speaks adequately to the wrath of events that became her ordeal. Justice, although harsh, is known to those prior to making the decision to remain in this country beyond stated times and consequences should come as no surprise if caught. His logical appeal is to the reading audience: it’s my wife, a nice girl, and not a criminal – so to speak. I’d wonder what the Dutch would do if the tables were turned, and Michael was illegally in Holland traveling with his wife. Would they say, “Fine, have a nice day Mr. Durack and please leave soon?” Perhaps that could be a good concept for a sequel.
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Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin, Pacific Book Review
Original interview published and courtesy of Kay Balbi and Yahoo.
Kay:
Alberta, would you mind sharing with the Yahoo readers what living with alcoholism was like and how it affected your life? Could you also please share with us where that path took you, how it impacted you, and how it molded you into the person you are today?
Alberta Sequeira's Reply:
My name is Alberta Sequeira of Rochester, Massachusetts, and I became an author and 
speaker out of tragedy. I had no desire to become a writer; not even a dream of having the excitement of holding a published book in my hands.
Our lives can turn from security and happiness to despair in a split second. On February 10, 1985, my husband, Richard Lopes of North Dighton, Massachusetts, died at forty-five years of age at the VA Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island from cirrhosis of the liver. This horrible, worldwide disease affects every person in the family that we call Alcoholism. The pain travels outside the family to siblings, parents, and friends. We all lose in the end. There are no winners. It is a family disease; lives are changed forever.
Alcoholic symptoms
In 1960, Richie and I met. Oh yes, there were signs of him drinking when we dated, but I was young and in love. I had never asked him about his family history. If I had, I would have realized that alcoholism was high on the list with his mother, sister, brother, and relatives. He never drank in my company or at family gatherings, only nights out with his buddies. I told myself it was a macho thing boys did. In 1962, we got married. We were blessed in 1963 with the birth of our daughter, Debbie, and in 1967, Lori entered our family unit.
Enabling the alcoholic
I thought I had it all, but sometimes life does not go the way we plan it. My joyful, sheltered life turned to confusion, fear and abuse through the years with Richie's drinking. I became a great enabler keeping his addiction from his family and mine, innocently, helping him stay in denial and go deeper into his habit. Pushing myself beyond what my body could take mentally and physically from trying to handle this disease myself, I had a small breakdown.
My guilt still follows me from keeping our daughters in this unhealthy environment for over seventeen years. Instead of hiding Richie's drinking, I should have protected my girls from this rollercoaster living. They could not understand their father's character change, when one minute he loved them and the next he was in blackouts.
Moving on after a death from alcoholism
After Richie's death, I thought the girls and I were moving on with life. I had three jobs, a dispatcher for the Dighton Police Department, proofreading for a telephone company and a part-time waitress for Friendly's Restaurant. What I did not realize was that Lori was following the same path as her father since she was fourteen years old. She hid it well.
At nineteen, Lori got married and had a son, Joe, and a daughter, Meagan a year and a half later. Her marriage fell apart three years later, and she struggled with bills and every aspect of her life.
Alcoholism is a disease of Denial
Fourteen years later, she met a man from her jobsite at Lopes Construction. Mark was a wonderful stepdad to her teenage children. That lasted two years was when we saw that he was an alcoholic. What we did not realize was that Lori was one herself, along with hiding the fact she was bulimic. Lori had entered alcoholic rehabilitation locations, one at the Butler Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island and two times at the Gosnold Rehabilitation in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Each time she was released, she came out in denial with her addiction. She had refused any family member to be involved with her treatments.
On November 22, 2006 at thirty-nine years of age, Lori died at the Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts. We buried her at the St. Patrick Cemetery in Somerset, MA, with her father. We had her name engraved on his tombstone.
Burying an alcoholic
There are no words to describe the pain in losing anyone you love, but losing a child is beyond keeping your sanity. No matter where I went, the emptiness and physical agony followed me.
I wanted to share my life, especially my mistakes with my actions in an alcoholic family, hopefully to save others from doing the same. I guess you could call my books "What Not to Do." I started writing Someone Stop This Merry-Go-Round: An Alcoholic Family in Crisis. It was self-published by Infinity Publishing in 2009 and was nominated for the "Editor's Choice Award" by Allbook Review of Canada.
Books on living with alcoholism
In 2010, I completed Lori's story in the sequel, Please, God, Not Two: This Killer Called Alcoholism. It also was nominated for the "Editor's Choice Award. The book and its cover appeared in the December issue of Publishers Weekly. I had both books made available in e-books.
In 2007, I started my journey reaching out to others with my story and went to Gosnold Rehab to give an hour talk to the women and young girls at their location. I explained how the whole family is affected by this illness.
My speaking engagements have taken me to women's ministries, halfway homes, substance abuse locations, recovery programs ordered from the courts, libraries, radio stations, and cable TV shows. My platform has built beyond my imagination.
People think I healed writing my stories, but I did not. I had to contemplate how I could take my suffering and turn it into a positive action. I wanted Richie and Lori's life on earth to have had meaning. They were two loving, fun people before this demon took them.
Alcoholics have to realize that it is not that this disease may, would or could kill; it will. They have nothing to be ashamed of because they have a disease. All they have to do is get out of denial and grab onto all the support that is out there, and especially, open the doors to allowing family into their counseling sessions. This is the abuser's battle and they have to believe that they have the power to reach out for help. It is a time to heal and get on the road to recovery.
For more information from Alberta: Website: www.albertasequeira.com
Blog: www.albertasequeira.wordpress.com
E-Mail: memoirs@ahealingheart.net
See my blog for more: kbalbify.com/Meet Albert Sequeira
Author commentary:
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Alberta for sharing her story with us. I grew up on the other side of this alcoholic equation. I was the addict. had no idea how much hurt I was causing as I was going through my active phase. It was only through my parents' choice of tough love that I am probably here today. They chose not to buy into my lies and held me accountable. I made the wrong choices and I burned bridges. It forced me to wake up and make some hard decisions. I am grateful to them, and I am grateful to Alberta for sharing her message. To read the story of a young girl struggling with alcohol addiction, read Bad Girl Gone Mom.
For books on the family perspective, read reviews for : Someone stop this merry-go-round and With the Two Alcoholic Memoirs.
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Life is a journey, not a destination. You only get one life-are you living it?" Freelance writer and business management consultant Kay Balbi has many passions and interests to share. She is an author, inspirational life coach, speaker and musician as well. To contact Kay please email kaywonttell@aol.com.
Author's looking for book award opportunities, should take a look at the Mom's Choice Awards®. They accept both fiction and non-fiction titles. Their list of genre categories is quite extensive and details on submitting books for an award in each respective category is detailed in their Mom's Choice Awards®: Category Guide for Book Submission. Best of luck!
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and many other shows and in major publications.
Why not submit your product / service for consideration
and give it the advantage it deserves?
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Enter by June 30th and save $100 off every entry!
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by midnight EST Saturday, June 30th, 2012
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Use the following promotion code to save!
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If you have won a Mom's Choice Award®, please tell us about it!
by Sherrie Wilkolaski
Authors that have been in the business of publishing for the last 10 to 20+ years have some advantages over authors just entering the field. With every craft comes experience. Seasoned authors understand the value of working with the right editor, having a sharp cover design, starting marketing and publicity early, etc. First time authors should take the time to learn from these writers, absolutely. So what can younger, less experienced writers and soon to be authors teach their predecessors? Let’s find out…
Turn back the clock and think like a new author.
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Think outside the box. New authors are eager to do whatever it takes to get their books sold, and will look for unique opportunities to market and promote their books. Leave no stone un-turned and don’t get stuck in an old-fashioned publishing rut.
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eBooks are the future. Technically, eBooks are “now” but many authors who have had titles sitting on the shelves for years haven’t even taken the step forward to convert their books to an eBook. Go electronic or be ready to lose sales. More distribution options the better.
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Getting social. Not one day goes by when I don’t talk with an established author who tells me they aren’t using any form of social media. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are not for everyone, but they really do make a difference when it comes to building your online platform. If you don’t know how to use the tools, take the time to learn. You can always hire a professional to do the work for you.
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New technology. There are so many options for authors today, from online marketing book widgets, to social media, eBooks, audio books, book trailers and more. Stay abreast of what authors and publishers are using and get on board.
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Blog. New or old, blogging is an essential marketing tool for any author. Just do it.
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Education. Think back to when you published your first book, you were eager to learn everything you could about publishing. Today the author has access to more information about publishing and book marketing, that they can make a more educated decision.
Don’t let your past dictate your future, make it happen and take charge. Thinking like a new author will give you an added advantage when blended with your real world experience and knowledge. I believe you can teach an old author new tricks and they will come out on top.
by Norm Goldman
Original review published and courtesy of bookpleasures.com.
Follow Here To Purchase Delbert Pillage
Author: Sandy Graham
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
ISBN: 10-0-7414-7278-3: 13: 978-0-7414-7278-6
From the very first sentence and over the course of 300 pages, Sandy Graham's debut novel Delbert Pillage rivets with a great deal of mixed emotions.
As a scrawny youngster, Delbert Pillage was the target and victim of bullying from some of his classmates who would ridicule his physical appearance notably his ears, forehead and his torn clothes. Delbert was very shy, frail and poor and thus he became an easy target for incessant taunts.
Unbeknownst to his parents, teachers and the other school kids, Delbert was in fact extremely talented. His teachers misjudged his ability, as he would only show enough to scrape through each year and they would constantly complain about his lethargic attitude in class. Little did they realize that Delbert's behavior was only a cover up to avoid further humiliation at the hands of the school's bullies.
Fortunately for Delbert, one of his talented teachers did recognize his superior intellect and was the catalyst in setting in motion a series of events that eventually would lead to far reaching ramifications concerning his life. However, although Delbert agreed to pursue the path carved out for him, he did so with a great deal of trepidation, as it meant being away for extended periods of time from his sweetheart Sylvia, whom he had known since the age of six and whom he had promised to marry. To give away or even provide any hint as to what became of their relationship would certainly be a betrayal.
Apart from bringing to the table a smorgasbord of themes as bullying, unrecognized gifted children, teenage love, and the tragic consequences of rape, Graham cleverly interweaves a backstory concerning Canada's finest aviation achievement, the production of the delta wing Avro Canada CF-105. It was at the height of the Cold War during the 1950s that the Soviets had introduced new long range bombers that had the ability to fly over the North Pole to attack North America. This was extremely serious for fear of a surprise nuclear attack. In 1953 Canada stepped forward to manufacture a delta-winged interceptor aircraft that was designed and built by Avro Aircraft Limited in Malton, Ontario. The aircraft was to serve as the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) primary interceptor in the 1960s. Unfortunately, not long after the 1958 commencement of its flight test program, the development of the Arrow was abruptly and controversially halted and this led to a very long and bitter political debate. It also led to a serious brain drain that deeply affected the aviation and electronics industry in Canada.
Graham writes in a spare compact style sketching the life of a young teenager growing up, gaining confidence 
and coming to terms with his brilliance-something not to be ashamed of or hidden. Both adults and young adults will enjoy the suspense and unexpected twists and turns of the storyline, however, this is not to say that the novel is without its defects. For example, I would have liked to have seen more development of conflict particularly in the relationship between Delbert and Sylvia. In addition, Graham, influenced by his vast amount of experience in the Canadian and American aviation industry, has fallen prey to what the French term, “deformation professionnelle,” or the over usage of technical terms and descriptions, and as a result, very little is really added to the development of the characters or the plot. Nonetheless, Graham still manages to weave a gripping yarn and I look forward to hearing more from him in the future.
Follow Here To Read Norm's Interview With Sandy Graham
Follow Here To Purchase Delbert Pillage
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Norm Goldman, B.A. LL.L, is the Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures, which he created in 2002.' Practicing law for over 35 years enabled Norm to transfer and apply to book reviewing his many skills that he had perfected during his career in the legal profession and as a result he became a prolific free lance book reviewer & author interviewer. To read more about Norm FOLLOW HERE
Interview originally published and courtesy of FascinatingAuthors.com.
(Check out book trailer video below.)
Lost Mojo
For six small-town teenagers, it begins with a senior class video project and the sudden disappearance of two of their own. Researching urban legends in their hometown leads them to an isolated farmhouse—haunted by its dark secrets, the discovery of unmarked graves, and more paranormal activity than they ever could have imagined.
For Clay County Sheriff, Drew Connor, Tony Morgan, and the mysterious Ranier brothers, it began decades earlier when missing persons and violent murder first tainted the quiet countryside. The evil still lives…hidden…waiting.
Their fates entwine in an epic Halloween clash of good versus evil as the dark energy returns to bring demonic forces to life through ritualistic sacrifice.
Author interview:
Q. What excites you most about your book’s topic? Why did you choose it?
A. I have always been fascinated with the paranormal and the idea that a part of the human personality survives physical death. I am a paranormal researcher in my spare time and as the founder of Synergy Paranormal Investigations, Harvard, NE. I spend nearly every weekend out searching haunted locations for evidence of the paranormal. I love ghost stories! We all tend to write about what we know and have passion for. I can’t imagine writing about anything else. I also enjoy sharing my faith so my books give me an opportunity to do that as well.
Q. How long did the book take you from start to finish?
A. I have spent another eight months working on this book in addition to the original three months it took to put it together in the first place. Altogether, it took nearly one year to complete.
Q. What aspect of writing the book did you find particularly challenging?
A. The hardest part of writing is the editing. When you go back through the manuscript and decide what to leave in and what to take out. Every paragraph should move the story along when you are trying to build dramatic tension. Once in awhile you find a great piece of prose that you really like but it isn’t really necessary to the story line. Thus, the dilemma; do you keep it or throw it out? Generally, it has to go! Sometimes I will write it down and save it for another day.
Q. What surprised you the most about the book writing process?
A. I was most surprised by the excitement of the creative process. When the creative juices are flowing and everything is falling into place it is an exhilarating experience. It can have its ups and downs but the highs are amazing.
Q. Did you have any favorite experiences when writing Lost Mojo?
A. When I was writing this book, my favorite thing was sharing it with my friends one section at a time. I would write a few chapters, try to leave them with a cliffhanger chapter, then; make them wait until I wrote a few more chapters. They drove me crazy wanting the next piece of the manuscript. It was so fun. That was incredibly motivating for me; like a supply and demand writing spree.
Q. What do you hope your readers will gain from reading your book?
A. I hope they will think about the power of faith in their lives. Prayer and trust in God can help us straighten out the unexpected curves life throws at us. We may not ever run into horrific demonic entities in the flesh but we all have our metaphoric demons to contend with. Faith can help us tackle those as well. I must admit though; I love a good scare. I hope my book makes the reader have a few chills up and down their spines along the way too.
Q. What projects are you currently working on?
A. I am working on the third installment of the Mojo Series. I originally planned to write a trilogy; publishing one book per year. However, the third book will not be completed by next summer. I am changing it up quite a bit from its original outline. The muse is definitely not satisfied thus far! I am also working on a Non-Fiction paranormal research book that will be based on Synergy’s case files. I’m incredibly excited about the prospect of sharing my experiences and regaling real-world ghost hunting adventures.
Q. Is writing your sole career? If not, what else do you do?
A. No. I work full time as a Nursing Home Administrator and RN Consultant. I am also the founder of Synergy Paranormal Investigations, Harvard,NE. I have always wanted to be a part of the paranormal research community. In January of 2011 I made the decision to form the group and jump in with both feet. It has been an amazing ride! I have also had the opportunity to become a producer for Nebraska’s longest running Paranormal radio program, Exploring Unexplained Phenomena, with host, Scott Colborn, at KZUM in Lincoln, NE. Scott has amazing guests on the program and it has been so educational for me. Exposure to some of the experts in the field has given me additional information and insight into the realm of paranormal exploration.
Q. Did you do any research for your books, or did you write from experience?
A. I did do some research about demons, and ghost hunting but mostly I wrote from experience. The next installment of the series should have the latest tools in paranormal investigation such as the “ghost box” and lasers to help the characters in their work.
Q. How did you come up with your title?
A. The first book, Mojo, was all about finding the mojo—with a few twists along the way. It only seemed right, in the prequel, to address how the mojo was lost. It was very difficult to find the right title but in the end Lost Mojo fit the bill.
Q. What books have influenced you the most?
A. My favorite author of all time is now and will always be Stephen King. All of his early books probably influenced me the most. I especially loved The Stand, It, Tommyknockers, and Pet Cemetary.
Q. Who was your publisher and why did you choose them?
A. I chose Infinity publishers. When I was researching self publishing options, Infinity was listed as being one of the most author friendly publishers. I decided to try them.
To listen to Kris' radio interview about the paranormal on Courage Cocktail, click here.
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Kris Sedersten is a Nursing Home Administrator and RN Consultant in her home town of Harvard, Ne. where she lives with her husband, Paul. They enjoy spending time with family, especially their three daughters and eight grandchildren. Kris loves dogs, horses, cats and walking. Kris has a passion for all things paranormal. In her spare time, she leads a paranormal research team, Synergy Paranormal Investigations, and works as a producer on Nebraska’s longest running paranormal radio program, Exploring Unexplained Phenomena, with host Scott Colborn. She enjoys writing paranormal fiction and sharing her faith in unconventional forums. Combining her passions has led to a series of books she is working on titled, The Mojo Series. If you’ve got Mojo, stayed tuned for upcoming releases.
Find out more at: http://www.krissedersten.com/
by Sherrie Wilkolaski
This is one of the biggest weeks of the year in the publishing business, it's Book Expo America! Events kicked off on Sunday with UPubU the day for everything self-publishing. Infinity Publishing attended and had a booth. We met many incredible authors and saw some old-friends. Yesterday was BEA Bloggers and the Audio Publishing Association event. The day was filled with talks about what the future of blogging and audio books holds for authors.
Today Book Expo America officially kicks off and as in BEA style, they are using cutting edge technology to help authors and publishers connect via a live video stream online.
To keep up with what is happening at Book Expo America, be sure to watch it here!
Enjoy!
by Cathy B. Stucker
Original article published on sellingbooks.com.
What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.
SOUL MATE CONNECTIONS Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Relationships, Love, Romance and Soul Mates
Tell us something about yourself.
I was born in Dayton Ohio but now live in Colorado.
I started writing short stories in the 4th grade and haven’t stopped.
What inspired you to write this book?
I am a Master Palmist and have been reading for over 60 years. They say write what you know about and I have a plethora of story ideas from all the palms I have read where I uncovered interesting information that needed to be shared.
How did you publish this book? Why did you decide on that publisher?
I have 3 books. The first was with a traditional publisher who has since gone out of business. If she was still out there I would have continued with Woman in the Moon Publications. Because of her situation I chose to use Infinity Publishing going POD.
How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?
I have always known that writing was easy for me and that I enjoyed it. In college I was a Journalism major in radio and tv. I am still involved with numerous stations using palmistry and my books on their shows.
What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?
It is a singular activity; no one can do it for you. To accomplish anything it takes discipline and hard work to produce the written word. I love everything I write at first, sit it down and when I go back to it I hate every word and she work it.
How do you do research for your books?
I use the computer to document some of the information that goes into my short stories.
Did you learn anything from writing this book? What?
I liked writing and seeing a hard copy of my manuscript, that is what motivates me to continue writing. My fourth book is titled PALMS READ IN LOVE AND LIGHT which I am sending queries out on as of yesterday.
What are you reading now?
Danielle Steele novels. Good escapism.
Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?
The fifth book I am constantly adding to is titled (working title so far) THE PALMS OF CHILDREN. I have 36 short storries and would like at least 40 to finish it. I don’t see that many children and those I see are not always interesting, gifted or worthy of having a story written about them. All of my short stories are taken from palm reading sessions and they are all true. Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.
What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?
Keep working at the craft and never give up or give in to outside distractions. If a certain time is set aside to write then that is what should be happening and nothing else.
What are you doing to promote your latest book?
I give lectures and read the table of contents to the audience. The first section is 17 pages jammed with information that no one ever tells anyone. That would be a book in itself if I chose to expand on it. But I also put in a second section of 46 love and romance stories taken from my palm reading sessions to help those who see a similar dilemma they are facing and how others handled it. It is like a blueprint to guide, aid and help readers get on the right path in love, work and play.
Where can readers learn more about you and your book?
www.myrnaloupalmistry.com
www.soulmateconnections.blogspot.com
Email: hmg@privatei.com
Call 303-651-6273 to order books.(I hold the stock on all 3 published)
by Brenda Hill
Good morning, Bree and Maralyn. And, thank you for finding me and my work interesting enough to interview on your most special blog. I’m afraid my extensive traveling wasn't done in as elegant a manner as your own. My husband and I traveled around the country for two years in an eighteen wheeler! I’d dare say I experienced as many different cultures, however. In that time, my innate love for the land and nature was nurtured, and I formed a new philosophy on the big scheme of things. When my husband passed on at a most young age, these experiences and new philosophies, along with a powerful interjection by a brilliant double rainbow etched across the heavens, my healing was facilitated with the creation of my website dedicated to him.
That site evolved into my first book, Fibers In the Web. Fibers was a collection of colorful nature photos, poems and philosophical essays amassed on the highways of America. My ponderings were shown as truth for me, through the survival of the devastating loss of my right side. That experience evolved into the writing of the novel you so loved, Rainy Day People. It is pretty much known, now, that Rainy Day is my memoir masked in just enough fiction to make it one heck of a story. The most common accolade I receive for it was, “the characters are so . . . so real. Amber leaps off the page into one’s heart.” I’m very touched and humbled by this as I sure never felt my rather quirky personality and simple life would be worth writing about! Who’d want to read about me?
You, too, are an Infinity Publishing author. Why do you prefer to be independent author published? I think we used to call it self-published.
Actually, I've been rather blessed in the world of publishing. Fibers In the Web was traditionally published by a small press in Denver, Colorado. I never planned on publishing anything; my goals centered around creating the website honoring my husband, nature, and my philosophy. Whispering Wind Publishing contacted me and asked if I’d ever considered converting it to book form. Well, no, I hadn't, but out of that unexpected inquiry, Fibers, the book, was born. Five years, pouring my soul onto a page, and suffering yet another tragic loss later,Rainy Day People was completed.
Initially, I’d researched the process of acquiring an agent and going the traditional route again. After several of the standard rejection letters all authors seem to go through, I gave up on that idea. They didn't realize that by rejecting my story, they were rejecting my very life! That ignited a fire in me to share my humble words with anyone who may be touched by reading it. I had no desire for fame or fortune, only for sharing the experiences if they just may touch another going through a tragedy of their own.
I had a copy of Writers Digest lying around here and happened to remember seeing ads for Independent Publishers. I drug out the magazine and the first ad I came to was from Infinity Publishing and I contacted them for more information. They immediately sent me their wonderful little book explaining the process and also all the directions in how to set up a book ready file. You know the rest of the story.
Now, four years later, I consider that day as providence. Rainy Day People was chosen as the novel to consider for audio conversion to launch their Spoken Books Publishing division, and that version is what garnered me an Indie Excellence National Book award last year. My networking article has since been included in their “Your Published! Now, What” book, I've sat on a panel at Valley Forge along with three of my co-Infinity authors and the celebrity presenters, and I have a third book coming out the end of the year with Infinity. I've never been sorry I followed that road and have since met such wonderful writers and professionals that I feel I've made life-long friends. As you know, I don’t believe in coincidence, I was meant to be at Infinity.
Tell us about your role with Florida Writer's Association.
After my husband died, I’d buried myself into a seclusion of sorts. Other than my working to earn a living and keep a roof over my head, I spent all my time alone, reflecting, writing my thoughts and my anguish in poems and short essays. My solace came from hours of working in gardens, the woods, memories and animal life. All the little wildlife around me and my cats. My association to the outside world was the Internet.
When Rainy Day People was released, I realized I was going to have to re-establish camaraderie with people if I ever wanted my work to be read! I’d heard of the FWA. I visited the main website and contacted the president, Dan Griffith, to inquire about a Sarasota Chapter only to learn there was none in our county. He immediately proposed that I start one. It’s much too long of a story to relate here. Suffice it to say, I agreed and I entered my first meeting totally convinced I’d had a lapse in sanity, because I was terrified. By the end of the evening, I’d learned a valuable lesson in this business. If you extend yourself beyond your comfort zone and reach out your hand, others will step forward to grasp it.
We are now in our fourth year and the group continues to grow, refine itself, and is now the best it has ever been. We've assembled a great group of people, incredible diversity in genre, and a willingness to help and encourage each other. Like everything else, it IS a process. I've evolved as a comfortable group leader, a columnist for the official statewide FWA publication, The Florida Writer, and present workshops on networking and editing at various conferences and reviews. I credit a good amount of my success in networking to the Florida Writers Association.
Other than working on your own writing, have you broadened your writing resume with other involvements in written expression?
To this day, poetry remains my first love and I’m quite active in poetry work. As coordinator for The Infinite Writer, a popular e-zine founded by Dahris Clair, the Pasco County FWA Group Leader, and also an Infinity Publishing author, I’m fortunate to meet and work with incredible poets from all over the world. I just featured one from England who sat me back in my chair! In the course of doing this work, I've edited and guided many budding poets and made dear friends. I've received awards for my own poetry and am now associated with a fantastic organization out in California, the Redlands Aromatherapy Foundation, helping them promote their fundraising poetry and prose Nature contest. Another product of networking, by the way.
As monthly contributor of articles ranging from humor to politics, networking to editing...I continue to build my network on the west coast as well as nurture friendships with fellow Infinity authors who also take part in John Wolf’s e-zine.
The rest of the time, I spend doing contract copy editing and guidance for other writers while managing to build quite a reputation for my book reviews with the many reviews I've done for AME Marketing out of San Diego and fellow Infinity authors. It pleased me greatly to be able to return the favor, Bree, when I was asked to review yours and 
Maralyn's wonderful book $ucess-Your Path to a Successful Book. I still say it’s the best book out there for getting an author started on the road to success.
You do more networking than anyone else I know, except for Maralyn Hill. What is your philosophy about networking?
I've written a rather succinct article on the power of networking that is posted on my website: www.sucarha.com in the Rainy Day Room section. I’d invite your readers to read the entire thing as networking is, indeed, the most powerful tool at the writers disposal unless they happen to be mega-rich and can afford prominent publicists and extensive advertising. Here, I’ll sum it up by saying networking is the vehicle that will connect you with the readers of the world and other writers, who are usually also extensive readers. Through my own experiences, I came up with the four basic principles of networking. Strangely, the first principle of networking is meeting and getting to know your self’, your goals, and your comfort zones. Before you can embark upon a journey, you kind of have to know where you wish to go.
Secondly, and possibly most importantly, networking IS a reciprocal process. In order to receive, you first must give, and continue to give back. No one enjoys spending a lot of time around a person who is all about me, me, me! You must always be willing to take genuine interest in others, their goals and work, too.
Thirdly, it’s active; it’s doing something. It’s getting out and joining groups, attending conferences, meeting local independent booksellers, volunteering to take part in community activities. To put a scientific tint on it, it’s action=reaction=action=reaction=circular perpetual motion. Like ripples in a pond, they extend ever wider. Fourth, networking is balance. It’s maintaining a balance between expectations and contributions, listening as well as speaking, being what others want to emulate rather than shy away from. And, it’s a continual re-prioritizing of the first three principles as we grow, situations change, goals change, and WE change.
Do you have any tips for new or seasoned writers?
Write what you want to write and write from your very soul. Never think you are so good that you can’t get better. Never think you reach a point where you don’t NEED an editor. Most importantly, NEVER sacrifice your values or your integrity to climb a rung on the ladder. Be true to yourself and your craft.
Anything new in the works?
Yes, as mentioned earlier, I hope to have my third book out this fall. Infinity is patiently waiting for me to get it together. Soul Songs will be similar to Fibers In the Web in that it will be new poems and new philosophical essays reflecting the growth and progress in my work over the last eight years. This one will be more geared to wonderful experiences I’ve had with meeting other writers and also my passions for the Earth we all trod upon. I’ve developed a passion for the power of free verse poetry rather than the standard rhyme and rhythm of Fibers.
I’m also struggling through the second novel which is about one third done. The House Is Burning is a difficult novel to write. I’m so passionately full of its content; I constantly fight the repetitious rambling that can be the destroyer of an otherwise great book. You know, those parts where you feel you’re cutting a piece of your heart out!
What is the best way to reach you?
I can be reached through my website: www.sucarha.com. I’m always happy to hear from other writers and readers. Thank you both, Bree and Maralyn, I’m quite honored and grateful to be asked to be a part of your site and this art we all three love and share.
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Brenda Hill is a freelance writer; food judge; International Food & Wine Travel Writer's Association. Author, Random House, NYC. author, book editor: Boy's Life Magazine; contributor, Where Magazine; columnist: Big Blend Magazine; columnist, Where and What in the World; co-author, Success, Your Path to a Successful Book (INDIE Finalist), Cooking Secrets, The Why and How; co-author, Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel; book reviewer and contributor, Pepper Tree Literary Magazine, contributer, Global Writes, contributor: CityRoom. Media representative, Bocuse D'Or in Lyon, France, 2009 and 2011. whereandwhatintheworld.com
www.noralyn.com
www.booksbyhills.com
successwithwriting.com
bigblendmagazine.com/Books_by_Hills/Tandem-Travelers.htm
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by Zach McAleese
As a member of the Infinity Publishing graphic design team, my job is to format the interior of our books so that every single book is unique, looks professional and is bookshelf ready. Readers expect to crack open a book and feel the comfort of consistent chapter headings, uniform text layout and page numbers that all land in the same position on each page. If the formatting is out of whack, the reader will have a harder time focusing on the book’s content. Many authors fail to understand that the interior book formatting is part of the reader’s experience.
Manuscript files make their way to my desk directly from our editorial department, once the book has gone through its final edit. From here this is where the magic begins. If you’re an author who has already had your manuscript professionally edited before sending it over to us for publication (and if your book has not been professionally edited, I’m the first to see this and well, I can’t do anything to make improvements on that) there are a few things I recommend to help us work together to create the best interior layout. As a book designer, my time should be spent creating the best layout for your title, not fixing formatting errors that ultimately take away from design time.
Here are 5 tips to prepare your manuscript for professional formatting or to help an author format their own interior file:
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First make sure that your manuscript is set up properly. Check the page size and margins so that they meet our required settings (see Publishing Guide). This will help ensure that what you are seeing on your computer screen will be as close as possible to how it will look in your actual book.
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Consistency is key to creating a uniform layout to your book. Applying presets to the paragraph settings of your manuscript will allow you to continuously work on the manuscript without having to worry about inconsistent spacing or entering unintentional tabs.
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Be creative with the layout, but avoid being distractive. Complex formatting can not only be an incredibly tedious effort, but sometimes an unnecessary one at that.
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Use simple fonts. Don’t go crazy with fonts that are difficult to read. Fonts like Times New Roman, Garamond and Georgia make for easy reading. If you choose to use multiple fonts in your book, be sure that they complement one another; especially if they are on the same page.
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Add headers or footers. For those unfamiliar with what headers and footers are, it is the addition of text to the top and/or bottom of each page in your book (usually the book title on one side and the author's name on the other).
Your interior formatting is as important as your book editing, cover design and book marketing campaign. You can’t have one without the other. Together they all help to create the best book possible.
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A graduate of Temple University, Zach McAleese began his career with Infinity’s audio department and now works as our valiant book formatter. A connoisseur of music and film, Zach’s formatting skills are surpassed only by his ability to grow a powerful beard.
by Sherrie Wilkolaski
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Infinity Publishing announces the introduction of four new all-inclusive publishing programs that are tailored for the independent author.
Classic American authors are the inspiration for Infinity Publishing’s all-inclusive publishing programs. Once unknowns like Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, Edgar Allan Poe and Mark Twain were at one time, all new authors, starting out on their own publishing journey.
Today, authors have even more opportunities to make their way from writer to published author when they partner with Infinity Publishing. We want every author to have a classic publishing experience; from production, to distribution and marketing.
We are looking for definitive talent. The next generation of authors, that will be a future masterwork. Let our team of publishing professionals work with you to publish your title. We offer premier publishing services and our publishing packages provide more value than you’ll find anywhere else. Our authors deserve the very best.
What are the benefits of the new Infinity Publishing all-inclusive publishing packages?
We’ve spent a lot of time on developing publishing options that are authors are looking for. Rather than having to buy our services a la carte, we’ve partnered up our pre-publishing, distribution and marketing services to make it easier for our authors to get everything they’re looking for, in one program. Our publishing packages also provide a discount on the services vs. buying a la carte.
Take a look at everything our new all-inclusive publishing programs have to offer and let us know what you think.
Will your book be the next Infinity Publishing classic?
Ready to get started on your publishing journey? Contact an Author Advocate to learn more.